Abstract
The current study examined the acute‐ and chronic effects of whey protein isolate ingestion on plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS, an endocrine abnormality in women of reproductive age, is characterized by menstrual cycle disturbance, hyperandrogenism and obesity. Women with PCOS have altered metabolic profiles and are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes and/or liver disorders such as non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Nutritional management options are severely limited. Whey protein isolate (WPI) improves metabolic parameters in patients with and without type 2 diabetes, but its therapeutic potential in polycystic women has yet to be realized. Given the association between PCOS and NAFLD, we hypothesized that supplementation with WPI may attenuate circulating cholesterol and triglycerides in a polycystic population. Fifteen premenopausal women with PCOS and eleven healthy, regularly menstruating women underwent three 150‐min oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT): (i) OGTT without protein preload, (ii) OGTT on 1st, and (iii) 40th day of protein preload. Participants consumed 35g protein daily with protein intake 30 min before carbohydrate load on test days. Plasma levels of cholesterol and triglycerides were assessed at baseline, day 1 and day 40 to determine acute and chronic effects on cholesterol and triglycerides using a Biolis 24i chemistry analyzer. (Participant recruitment, data collection and analyses in progress.) Protocols used in this study were approved by the TWU Institutional Review Board. Mixed Model Repeated Measure ANOVA indicates that time and condition (PCOS vs control) did not have a significant effect on cholesterol or triglyceride levels within and between groups (p > .05). However, preliminary data indicate that disease condition had a significant impact on cholesterol (p< .001) and triglyceride (p = .001) concentrations at baseline. Changes in cholesterol and triglyceride levels after 40 days of protein preload are currently being analyzed. Women with PCOS have higher levels of cholesterol and triglycreides than those without this condition. While acute effects of 35g WPI ingestion do not seem to alter these levels, a longer duration of supplementation may induce more beneficial effects (currently being conducted). Findings from this study will provide foundational support for WPI as a nutritional treatment for PCOS and reveal insights into cholesterol metabolism mechanisms that are affected by PCOS and NAFLD.Support or Funding InformationGlanbia Nutritionals, INC; Human Nutrition Research Funds, Texas Woman’s University; Research Enhancement Program, Texas Woman’s University
Published Version
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